Travel Photography

Recommended Travel Cameras

The ideal “travel” camera is a compromise between convenience and quality (which equals weight). The better the pictures, the heavier the camera. For pictures of the kids standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, a good point and shoot will work fine. Canon is probably the leader in this area. However, the sensors in these cameras are small. Consequently, they tend to have a lot of noise. They take perfectly good 4x6 pictures, but will generally not take good "displayable" pictures. In addition to their small sensor size, they usually do not have the creative controls needed for great shots. For comparison, I have created a gallery of "point and shoot" examples. This gallery contains several example shots I have taken with a pocket camera while on various trips. Most of the pictures in the "point and shoot" gallery were taken with cameras that would be considered crude by today's standards.

The following cameras are my choices for a good travel camera capable of taking "displayable pictures." This list starts with the lightest and least expensive.

Personally, I would stick with a Canon or Panasonic for "point and shoot" cameras. I will discuss Canon cameras here only because I own Canon point and shoot cameras.

(1) Canon S100 - This is a pocket size point and shoot. Yet, it offers controls rarely found in a camera of this size. It fits in your pocket and looks cool. If you are serious about improving your photos, but want to stick with a point and shoot form factor, this is the camera to get.

I take this camera even when I take an SLR. It is diminutive in size and will not attract the attention of an SLR (which can be very helpful at times).

(2) Canon G1X: This is a point and shoot camera designed for serious photographers. It is a "big brother" to the Canon S95. This camera has more functionality than most point and shoot cameras. It has a huge sensor which should translate to phenomenal quality. The down side is that it will not accept filters and lens hood at the same time. For a camera of this size and expense, this seems to be a large oversight on Canon's part.

(2) Canon 7D with a Canon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 (or a Tamron 18-250 lens). The Canon 7D is an excellent camera and probably is a better camera than the Nikon D7000. However, Canon's 18-200mm lens does not have the quality nor the reach of the Nikon.

Full Frame DSLRs: (For serious photographers)

(1) Canon 5D III with a Canon 28-105 f/4.0 lens. The Canon 5DIII is a phenomenal camera and probably the best "all purpose" camera made. It is also a great low light camera. The 24-105mm f/4 lens is a medium professional quality lens that will be great 80 percent of the time.

(2) Nikon D800 with a 24-120mm f/4 lens. Unfortunately, Nikon does not offer the equivalent to the Canon 5D III. The D800 is a great camera for landscapes, but it is a 36mp camera. The files are huge. Furthermore, it is not a great low light camera.

(3) Nikon D800 with a 28-300mm f/3.5 - 5.6 lens. When you need more "reach" and can afford to sacrifice lens speed and probably a little sharpness, this is another option. I usually travel with a 28-300mm lens and a fixed 50mm 1.4 prime for low light situations.

Before the Japanese earthquake of 2011, Nikon was known for making the best 35mm format cameras for professional photographers.

Nikon cameras are generally more intuitive to use and they tend to be more ergonometric. They also had better flash systems than Canon cameras.

Furthermore, their high end lenses are simply second to none and the build quality of their cameras were excellent. Unfortunately, because Nikon had to move their facilities due to the Japanese earthquake, many believe that their build quality has not been the same.

Furthermore, Nikon's progression path is not as affordable as Canon's.

Several years ago, Avis ran a series of commercials touting that because they are number two, they try harder. Well, that certainly seems to be the situation for Canon.

Quite frankly, Canon usually makes better or more affordable intermediate and consumer systems. Furthermore, Canon is usually the first company to come out with new breakthrough technology. Nikon typically follows, and often will best Canon's attempt.

Most amateurs prefer Canon because Canons are usually better "bargains" for the money and for point and shoot cameras, Canon is the clear cut winner

Which Camera system is better? It really depends on far you want to take your photography. I have owned both Nikon and Canon digital SLR cameras. I was a loyal Canon user until Nikon introduced their 18-200 lens. This seemed like the perfect travel camera lens. Once I began using a Nikon D200 with the 18-200 lens, however, I began to appreciate the layout and features of the Nikon camera.

After spending several thousand dollars on Nikon glass, I am now pretty much stuck with Nikon.

If I were starting over again today, however, I would probably go with Canon - for the simple reason that their progression path is more affordable and user friendly.